NASHP Launches Emerging Leaders of Color Fellowship
After the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I wrote, “For organizations like NASHP, it is not enough to speak out – we need to redouble our efforts, along with our state partners, to combat racism and ensure health equity.
“NASHP pledges to more intently listen to Black voices, to work harder to frame policies rooted in the experiences of communities that have been disenfranchised for far too long and, most importantly, to make way for, seek out, and support Black leadership in state health policy. We won’t achieve the change we need until we first change ourselves.”
I am very pleased to announce the creation of NASHP’s Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) Fellowship as a small step to achieve our goals of racial equity in state health policy. Applications are available today for people of color interested in learning more about state health policy and exploring careers in the field.
Fellows will partner with a NASHP state health policy leader of color to take on a project they will develop with that leader. They will also be invited to participate in NASHP’s ongoing work and will present their own initiatives at NASHP’s annual conference. Each fellow will receive a $2,000 stipend and free travel and registration at NASHP’s annual conference.
The fellowship was created with guidance from NASHP leaders with support from our corporate board. NASHP Research Analyst Adney Rakotoniaina and I co-chaired the effort with support from all of NASHP’s staff. We look forward to launching this initiative and partnering with emerging leaders of color to ensure the fellowship is a success in their eyes. It is a first step – we hope an important one – and we look forward to announcing our first class of fellows by Dec. 1, 2020.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
